Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 221

The Old Lady in old Shanghai
Island School, Dadlani, Diya – 12
S
he was a tough lady while hard to understand. All she did all day was
argue. Either with her helpers, or her closest friends, not that they were
close anymore. Her helpers couldn’t leave, no matter how hard they tried.
It was, and still could be, way to complicated….
But first, let me tell you a bit about her. When she was young, she was sent to an old village to live with her
grandparents, her parents didn’t want her. Her grandparents happily took her, wanting someone to take care of. Even
though they were happy to have someone, they didn’t like the decision that took place with their kids. The little girl was
too young to understand what had happened, but as she grew older, things changed. Her grandparents started growing
old and soon were sick. The grandparents raised her to be an amazing, kind, and a helpful girl, but everything changed
when her grandparents fell sick. They knew they didn’t have long, so they told her, told her everything. It was hard for
her to take in, and would’ve been harder if her grandparents had told her in detail. This is what they said…
“It has been a long time, you are now 12. It will not be long till you go live your life on your own. We
think that it’s time you know the real truth. When you were younger, your parents left you here, to live with us. We
haven’t heard from them since they left you. I know it’s hard, but that’s the truth. On your 52 nd birthday, I want you to
open this letter. It tells you everything you need to know. But only on your 52 nd birthday. It’s too much for now.” And
they went…
She’s was a good child, even though her grandparents were gone, she wouldn’t disobey their rules.
As time went on she grew, older and older. Not necessarily in the right way. She started being rude, talking
to people in the wrong manner. This was not something that should’ve happened, not at all. It all went wrong when she
turned 15. She started thinking in different ways. Hating her parents for leaving her even more. Although she still
missed her grandparents, she couldn’t think right. Always thinking negatively, never positive. She has been like that since
she was 15, now she is 51 and still can’t forget her bad luck. She still treats others badly.
And now this is happening….
“Hey! You maid! Get in here right now or else…”
“Sorr-r-ry,” the helper replied with a scared voice, “I–I-I w-w-as helping Minnie.”
“Oh her, you mean Squeaky Mouse! What did she do now?!”
“She fell down the stairs and broke her arm, ma’am”
“Oh big whoop, that’s not a big problem! I need you to get me an ice-tea! NOW!”
“Ok, I’ll be b-b-back in a m-m-minute” And she ran off as fast as she could.
It’s only a few months till her 52 nd birthday, she is rude and disobedient, but still wouldn’t forget what her
grandparents had said years ago. Who knows what the next few months will be about…. Well, let’s see.
“MAID,!!!” she screamed out loud. “WHERE ARE YOU?! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 AND A
HALF MINUTES!”
“I’m coming ma’am,!” the helper replied. “I’m just helping Minnie, I’ll be there in a minute”